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weight loss before and after

Tamillia lost 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Tamillia lost 110 pounds with gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  She is a truck driver by profession.  Being on the road means her workout options are limited, but she has been able to workout consistently and change her eating habits.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey so far:

My name is Tamillia. I began my weight loss journey last November with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  My weight before surgery was 340 pounds.  At my last doctor visit, my weight was 230 pounds. My motivation was not to develop heart problems or high blood pressure since it runs on both sides of my family.  My other motivation is my daughter. I want to live a long life so that I can see her grow up.  I am 7 1/2 months post op. My goal weight is 170 pounds.

I continue to eat right and exercise when time permits because I am a truck driver and my schedule is full. My journey continues daily.  I walk at least 4 days a week for about 2 miles a day and I workout with some resistant bands daily as well.  After my surgery, I am eating small portions, protein shakes, and green vegetables.  I also eat grilled or baked chicken and fish.  Being a truck driver my exercising is limited to walking around my truck & trailer daily and doing resistant bands.

Tamillia weight loss success

Beth lost 62 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Beth.  She lost 62 pounds by making healthy food choices, running and she is now a Zumba instructor.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi!! My name is Beth Jones. I am 48 years old.  About 16 months ago, I decided to take full control of my life. I began making healthy food choices and exercising 5-6 days a week.  This has helped me to lose 62 pounds and go from a size 20 to a size 10. I became a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood only…no other meat) in 2011.  I try to stay away from fried foods and sweets. I drink protein smoothies daily to add more protein to my diet. I joined the Savannah Pacers, a running club in my city, and have completed 2 5k runs, a 10k, and a 1/2 marathon so far. Zumba also helped me so much that I am now a Zumba fitness instructor!!  Also, I co-founded a health and fitness club at my middle school where I teach 8th grade math. I feel fabulous and strong and healthy and want to continue to help others find their personal best too!

Beth Zumba Instructors

Jamilah lost 61 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Jamilah lost 61 pounds by eating clean, drinking green smoothies and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Jamilah and my motivation to lose weight was inspired by my children and myself. I woke up one day (March 17, 2010), and realized I was not the person staring back at me in the mirror.  I was 210 pounds, wearing a size 16, and just over 5 feet tall.  I didn’t like my reflection, and rather than wait until health issues began to surface, I prayed for God to give me a spirit of determination and discipline. In 2009, I did a lot of talking about what I was going to do, but it wasn’t until 2010, that I actually start putting those ideas into actions. I completely cut out pork, beef, bread, soda, and fried foods, and transitioned to boneless skinless chicken, turkey, lamb, and seafood. Fresh /organic veggies and fruits, and a whole lot of water were also added to my diet. I began making smoothies (1-2x a day) to substitute for meals. Kale, almond milk, 1/2 banana, and blueberries..start my mornings off most days :). L.A Fitness became my second home as I was in the gym 5-6x a week, mostly doing cardio (i.e., treadmill, stairmaster, and precor). I spent, at minimum, an hour each day when I worked out. Last July, of 2012, I invested in a personal trainer, which elevated me to another level, in terms of working out. I kept the personal trainer for 6 months, and as of January, 2013, I have been continuing to eat healthy, and stay active at least 3-4 times a week. Today I weigh 149 pounds,(which fluctuates between 148-151) and I am happier than I ever thought possible. It may have taken me longer to get here (as I didn’t take any shortcuts), but I enjoyed the journey, and thank God for keeping me encouraged, inspired, and motivated every step of the way. Stay encouraged. 🙂

Jamilah weight loss story

Mia lost 54 pounds

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Mia lost 54 pounds by eating right and exercising! Let’s show her some Black Women Losing Weight Love.  Here is what she shared with us about how she did it:

Hi my name is Mia and I am a huge fan off your page. I recently lost 54 pounds and I feel really awesome!  I did it with dieting and exercise! I want to lose 80 more pounds and I’m working hard to achieve my goal.

I was motivated by my two boys who are 5 and 2 years old. I want to be a healthy mom for them. I cut out eating junk food and started to eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal. I also increased my water intake too. I started doing an hour of walking at least 4 times a week.  After a while, I started doing a full body workout at the gym at least 2 times a week (out of my 4 day workout schedule).  I started at 325 lbs now I weigh 271 lbs. I started my mission October 2012 and through continued diet and exercise I’d like to lose 70 more pounds. Thank u so much!!

Mia weight loss story

Aziza lost 150 pounds with weight reduction surgery

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Aziza went from 300 pounds to 150 pounds with weight reduction surgery.  She says that she had to change her mind, habits, and lifestyle to lose the weight, because surgery is not magic.   Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

My weight loss story: Where do I start, it seems like I became overweight overnight.  With one pregnancy, I went from 155 lbs and a size 9/10 to 215 lbs and a size 18.  What a shock it was for me.  All my clothes were a size 10 except maternity clothes. I thought even though I gained almost 100 lbs, that after delivery I would go right back to my normal weight, but that was not true at all. My son weighed only 7lbs, so all that weight belonged to ME. Instantly I was faced with the shame of being overweight, not knowing how to dress as a full figured woman, not to mention I was fresh out of high school and only 19 years old. All I knew is that I wanted to be normal again, look and feel normal again. So, I looked to instant weight loss gimmicks, for instance DIET PILLS. Not having any example around me of anyone eating right and exercising, I looked to a fast and not so healthy quick fix. By the time my son turned 2 yrs. old, and after trying several different diet pills, I did lose weight and went down from an 18/20 to 170 lbs and a size 12. That actually felt good! However, if anyone knows anything about diet pill and weight loss, it’s not permanent. Shortly after, I met the man of my dreams, got married, had 3 more babies, and ate myself up to my heaviest 300lbs a size 4x/ 24.

In my opinion, there are many different avenues to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. With anything you do, you must discipline yourself and stick to it, whether it be Weight Watchers, P90X, Jenny Craig, Slim Fast, Gastric Bypass, Fit for Life, The Atkins Diet, Gastric Sleeve, Tae Bo , The Cabbage Diet, LAP-BAND or Bow flex. These are just a few ways that can become a chosen tool to help defeat obesity. After about 5 years of prayer and research, the tool I chose was to undergo Gastric Bypass Laparoscopic Surgery on June 9, 2009. I AM NOT PROMOTING SURGERY, NOR AM I A SPOKES PERSON, OR ADVOCATE GETTING OTHERS TO HAVE GASTRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY. This was a personal choice that I used as a tool, to kick start me in the direction of healthy living. Though I have been very successful, I did have to change my mind, habits, and lifestyle. Surgery is not magic; again it is just a tool that I chose. I have maintained a size 7/8 by working out 4 times a week, eating a low to no carb diet and staying focused and motivated to never let obesity be a part of my life ever again.

Aziza weight loss surgery story

Rayane lost 80 pounds

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I’ve got another story from someone with PCOS for you tonight.  Rayane lost 80 pounds over the course of 11 months with calorie counting and food logging with My Fitness Pal.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have been contemplating on submitting my story on your page for months and I thought now is the time. Mine is a bit long and drawn out but I just hope it will encourage someone else.

I have never been “small”, but I was never as big until 2012. In November 1998, I ended up in the hospital for abnormal bleeding and had to recieve a D&C to stop it and get 2 units of blood. In August of 1999, I ended up back in the hospital for the same thing and had to have another 2 units of blood. I was put on the depo shot, and in 6 months I gained 50 pounds as a result of that medicine. Needless to say, I didn’t get another shot. From that day on, I kept gaining weight and my cycles were still bad. It took until 2005 for my doctor to figure out that I had Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome.  That is what was causing my bad cycles.  It made it hard for me to lose weight no matter how hard I tried. I was put on medicine and birth control to control my issues. Then in December of 2011, I that decided come January 1, 2012 I was done.  I was going to do whatever I could to lose the weight.  At my highest I was 265 pounds and it was Feburary of 2011. I started working out and watching what I ate. I use Myfitnesspal to keep track of what I ate and counting calories.

It’s not really a diet i just changed my lifestyle. I workout, Ieat alot of baked or grilled chicken. No white sugar, flour, rice, pasta. Only whole wheat or whole grain. Protein helps as well. I cheat once a week maybe but I get back on the grind. Most importantly I drink lots of water. I buy two 32 or 35 bottle cases at a time. I also take a daily multi vitamin.

It took me 11 months but I lost the 80 pounds I set out to lose. Today I weigh 185 pounds and I’m in a size 8/10 clothing. I am back to what I weighed in high school adn still have my curves. My cycles are still under control and because of my weight loss.  In April of this year, my Ob/GYN took me off the Metformin for the PCOS which is a pre-diabetic condition.

I want to lose about 10 more pounds and trying to get my stomach smaller. That seems to be the hardest but I am happy for the most part. I worked hard and did something I never thought I could do. I just want other women to know it can be done. With a good support system and hard work you can reach your goals. I did it all myself because I was over being overweight.

Rayane weight loss PCOS

Angelique lost 50 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Angelique who lost 50 pounds.  This 5’1″ wife and mom was able to improve her health and weight by changing her eating habits, using MyFitnessPal and exercising with workout DVDs.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

My name is Angelique and I am a mother and a wife. Back in February 2011, I looked at myself in the mirror and had an “ah ha” moment. I cried so long and so hard. I decided at the weight of 215 pounds, my heightest ever, that it was time for a change. I am only 5’1 tall and that much weight on my frame was not flattering. I went to see my doctor and she advised me that I was prediabetic, had high cholesterol, and was at risk for other chronic illnesses. I decided enough was enough! I did my research and on July 27,2011, I decided to embark on my journey to wellness. I cut out all sweets, fried foods, minimized my pork and beef intake.  I also stopped eating processed foods, got rid of the sodas, started eating more fruit, increased my water and got moving! I started juicing and drinking smoothies. I am happy to say, as of now, I am down 50 pounds and I have a goal to lose 30 more. My children and my husband are my big motivators. They push me when I feel like I want to stop. I use My fitness pal, C25K, Insanity, Hip Hop Abs, and I love Jillian Michaels DVD’s. I try to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday. I eat as clean as possible. You can do it, I have, never give up! My dream is to be a runner and it’s going to happen!

Angelique weight loss story

Keya’s Emotional Weight Loss Story

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I had to share Keya‘s moving story that she posted to our Facebook page.  She didn’t note how much she lost (you can see it in the photos) but I think the details of her story are far more important and inspiring.  Here is what she shared (Update Oct 2013: See her updated photo and more info below the original post):

Many people don’t believe me when I tell them I got to 200 lbs. I was at a place of hopelessness and despair. My husband was in prison, I was raising 3 children as a single mother all while working 40+ hours a week and maintaining a 4.0 average in college. I had no time to take care of me and I had no time to love me.  All the love that I could muster each day was distributed evenly amongst my 3 children. A life of pain including suicide attempts, miscarriages, infidelity, not being wanted by your mother, finding out at 26 that your biological father is in fact your mother’s step dad and SO much more…was a building volcano waiting to erupt.  I am finally at a place where I am getting back to the basics! I found my voice and no longer allowed those things to hold me bondage. I use them to help others and that allowed the chains to break free.

We often time live life as though we are invincible, well, I had a mini stroke back in 2009.. It was one of the many times I had a brush with death and I just kept praying that God would help me to live because I was not ready to die. Finally, once again, I AM LIVING Y’ALL! Get your health right, you only got ONE life! I changed my eating habits and I workout with a trainer 4 times per week including electrifying cardio and Zumba classes. I also walk/run 5 miles on the 5th day. I hope to inspire someone, as I know what it feels like to have no inspiration or motivation in life.  I love y’all to PEACES! ♥~Keya

Keya weight loss pictures

Update – Keya has lost 40 pounds: “I just wanted to share a more updated picture, I’m still losing pounds and inches and wanted to reshare my story in hopes of helping another.”

Keya weight loss photos

Candyce lost 51 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Candyce lost 51 pounds with the help of the MyFitnessPal app, learning to eat her favorite foods in moderation and working out regularly. Here is what she shared with us:

What was your starting weight?  What is your current weight?

In the before photo I’m at 206 pounds in August 2012.  In the after photo I’m at 155 pounds in July 2013.

What was your motivation?

My motivation was mostly my babies. When my then 2 year old told me “Mommy, you got a big fat belly!” I knew that it was time to make a change! Also, I was sick of not being able to run and play with the children.

How did you change your eating habits?

I didn’t cut out my favorite foods, I just ate them in moderation. I also changed the way I prepared things, such as using wheat flour instead of white flour and using whole wheat pasta. I wasn’t a bad eater to begin with, but like most of us, I tended to overindulge. I also started using the MyFitnessPal app to keep track of what I ate.

What did your workout routines look like?

When I first started, I was going to boot camp classes twice a day.  I had to cut that out when I sprained BOTH ankles. So then, I turned to YouTube for some low impact cardio, arms, leg and an workouts.

How long did your transformation take?

My transformation took 7 months and I have maintained it for four months so far! Thanks for keeping black women encouraged!

Candyce weight loss pictures

Lindsey lost 140 pounds

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Update: Lindsey has lost a total of 140 pounds and her loose skin removal surgery is being chronicled on a new show, Skin Tight, on the TLC network. (Jan 27th at 10pm EST). More info on the show.

lindsey before and after

July 2013: Today’s weight loss before and after story: Vlogger Lindsey M. Adams lost 126 pounds.  She realized God’s healthy plan for her life, left an abusive relationship and learned to eat right and exercise with programs like Weight Watchers.  Here is what she shared bout her weight loss journey…

Lindsey weight loss storyLuke 1:37 “ For with God nothing shall be impossible “ That is the foundation that transformed a 5’5″, 307 pound women into a healthy, whole and fit 181 pound woman today. After 126 lbs. lost and still losing; God has been my number one source, provider, intercessor, healer and motivator. I started my Journey in July 2011, after the Lord spoke to my spiritual accountability partner about the enemy’s plan to kill me with morbid obesity. I wore a size 22/24 and weighed over 300 pounds. Most importantly I had low self- value and esteem and was in abusive relationships for over 8 years. I found myself being the “other woman” or the “side-line” piece because I tried replacing my feelings of rejection with male attention. Between July 2011 and October 2011, I lost 26 pounds by walking 1 hour on my local track for 3 days a week. In October 2011, I joined Weight Watchers and a nutritional program called “Body Breakthru”. As a member of these programs, I learned lifestyle changes and ways to face my weight loss challenges. I also joined LA Fitness and became an avid group fitness participant. Over a total of 15 months, I lost my first 100 lbs. Today, I am a size 10/12 and 181 pounds. I am excited to reach my goal and I continue to add variety and intensity to my workouts. I also work diligently to stop over eating and emotional eating, as well as to practice better portion control and honest calories tracking. I have been a motivational speaker for the Weight Watchers’ Jennifer Hudson Center in Chicago.  I am also an online personality creating videos about my weight loss journey on LindseymAdams.com.

weight loss success photos